Page 67 of Watercolor Skulls

Dirk takes Raffe’s spot on the bed. He grips my hands, stopping me. “Do you believe in fate?” he asks.

“I don’t know what I believe, Dirk. This is…why? Why would she lead me back here to him? I’m hurting him. I feel like I just stuck a knife in his back.”

He wraps his arm around me and tugs me close. He talks over my head, his breath ruffling my hair. “That’s not how I see it. Sometimes you have to hurt people to help them move on. He’s been hurting for years, Lily. You just handed him a key, not a knife. Now he will be able to get some closure. He just needs to get past the shock, okay?”

Dirk pulls back a tiny bit so he can look into my eyes. When I don’t respond he continues, “Her parents are going to get closure. Do you understand just how important that is?”

“Anyone ever tell you that you would make a heck of a therapist?”

He chuckles darkly.

“Not exactly.” He smiles at me. “Why don’t we go back down to the party. We can hash this out tomorrow when emotions aren’t so high.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin the day. You go on, I think I’ll have Dan take me home.” I give him a smile, hoping he will let it go. I can’t go downstairs and face everyone. I just can’t.

The door swings open and Dan storms in. He immediately crouches down in front of me, his eyes frantically running over my face. “Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I tell him, pulling out of Dirk’s embrace.

“Chill, cousin. Raffe just needs a little time to process what your girl laid on him.”

“He tore out of here.” Dan cradles my face in the palm of his hand before continuing, “I was worried he lost control.”

“That’s why I’m here, brother.” Dirk lays his hand on his shoulder, standing. “Take care of your girl. I’ll find Raffe.”

He stops at the door, knocking on the jamb. “Tomorrow evening, we hash this thing out.” He points to me. “We lay it all on the table.”

“Tomorrow,” I repeat.

He closes the door quietly behind him.

Dan climbs up on the bed, pulling me into his arms. “I only have one question and then we put everything on the back burner till tomorrow.”

I nod once.

“Did you know he was here? Is that why you came?”

“No. She never even told me his name, but she told me so much more. He is kind, funny and sweet. She loved him, Dan.”

My eyes trail his thumb as it brushes back and forth over my thigh. I remember the promise I made to her the night Benjamin stole my virginity. It’s time to make good on it.

I tuck my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent of pine trees and man. “Will you make love to me, Dan?” I mouth against his skin.

He shivers at my touch, making me sigh, happy that he is still responding to me. I’m sure I don’t deserve him, but I want him none the less.

“After you eat,” he says in faux gruffness, dumping me on the bed. “Give me ten minutes.”

My heart thumps wildly. When he comes back he has a plate piled high. He sets it on his bedside table then pulls me back onto his lap. He grabs a grape, biting it in half before bringing it to my lips.Oh, he’s going to feed me. “Close your eyes,” he whispers against the shell of my ear.

I obey and as my eyes fall closed the fruit touches my lips. His finger pushes it into my mouth slowly. He drags it over my bottom lip as he pulls his hand away.Oh fuck.The flavor glazes over my tongue, making me moan.

Dan continues to gently push food into my mouth. Sometimes with one finger, sometimes two. Part of me wants to be a brat and bite him. The other wants to be his good girl and take everything he offers.

When he’s satisfied I’ve eaten enough he grabs the bottom of my shirt and pulls it up over my head. It lands softly on the floor. His warm calloused hands run over me lightly. A tremble courses through me, enticing a chuckle out of him.

“Keep your eyes closed,” he says as he reaches behind me to flick the clasp on my bra. Dan shifts me so that I’m lying in the middle of the bed. My shoes come off next and then his hands are at the button on my jeans. I swear I can feel them tremble as he releases it.

Soon enough I’m lying on the bed completely naked in front of him. I listen as he removes his own clothes. A delicious tingle of anticipation swims happily through my system. I need this, just a moment to forget, for the outside world to melt away.

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